Hey everyone, I hope you're all doing well. The April newsletter is going to be short because, as I write this, I’m getting ready to leave for Switzerland to attend the BDFIL. It's been a ridiculously busy month but I got through it, thanks to a million scattered to-do lists. They are a life-saver.

Recap’

I had the honor of doing the cover for issue 24 of Planches magasine, and I treated myself to a big, detailed illustration, something I hadn't done in ages. In hindsight, I realized I've been drawing more houses and photo studies than character illustrations for the past year. Since I posted the entire creative process on Patreon, I won't go into too much detail here, so check it out if you're interested in the making-of.

Oh and the magasine also featured an interview with me, accompanied by this GREAT self portrait.

I also started the first lettering pass on Pupilles, between inking sessions. It's really when you place the text after working for months on wordless pages that the whole comic takes its ultimate shape. Gautier is making final adjustments to the dialogues while Jeik and I are rushing to finish the inking and the colors. We’re so close to wrapping up!

Announcements

Mark your calendars: MCAF will be held a week earlier this year, on May 15th, 16th, and 17th on Saint-Denis Street. The guest list is incredible this year, and I'm a little torn about being stuck behind my table for the entire weekend. There are too many things to see! In any case, I'll be under the Front Froid/Nouvelle Adresse tent with new prints, stickers, and comics to sign. Come and say hi :0

I still have three spots available for facade commissions! I drew one as a birthday gift, and I can't imagine a better present than getting an illustrated portrait of your home. All the details are here.

That's all for April. Enjoy the true spring, the greenery, and the patios. Also: thank you so much for reading and subscribing. I’ve been writing this newsletter for four years now and it’s always such fun. I hope you get a little something out of my monthly adventures!

The Cab Post is and ALWAYS be free. If you like what I do, visit my online shop, which contains signed books, art prints, stickers and fanzines. You can also leave a contribution of your choice on Patreon, which will give you access to tons of exclusive posts. This newsletter is made by hand, for humans; each share, subscription, purchase or contribution is immensely appreciated.

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Cool stuff

• How long can you avoid Montreal's potholes? I think I lasted 13 seconds, max.

• We're inundated with mediocre products that barely work and demand endless subscriptions. It's a huge scam, and industrial designer John Mauriello tells us all about it. A must-watch, instead of shopping on Instagram. Silicon Valley's Billion Dollar Design Scams.

• Friko just, just released their second album Something Worth Waiting For and I’m already in love. A cross between early Arcade Fire and Modest Mouse that’s sure to delight.

• Affine is a free, open-source, and private planning tool. I've been using it for a couple of weeks to plan my trip, because there are limitations to writing everything by hand. A good alternative to Notion or Miro for organization nerds.

Cool artist: On top of having a great website, No Good does amazing illustrations featuring retro gadgets, drawn in a sleek, super appealing way. I’m floored by the entire aesthetic.

Creativity is meaning-making. It’s how people interpret the world when official narratives tell you to ignore the evidence of your eyes and ears. It’s how communities name what’s happening when institutions can’t—or won’t.

-Kemi Ajisekola via The Creative Independant